Rep. Daniel S. Goldman

Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the detention or imprisonment of an individual based solely on an actual or perceived protected characteristic of the individual. The term protected characteristic includes each of the following: race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and any additional characteristic that the Department of Justice determines to be a protected characteristic.

Maddy summaryHR 640 authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu, a Japanese American civil rights advocate who challenged the World War II internment of Japanese Americans. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to mint a gold medal bearing Korematsu's image and name, which will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. This commemorative measure recognizes Korematsu's lifelong advocacy against racial discrimination and his role in exposing the government's misleading actions during his 1944 Supreme Court case. The medal is a symbolic tribute, not a policy change, and does not affect any individuals or laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the possession, sale, or transfer of most large-capacity ammunition magazines (holding more than 15 rounds) for the general public, while exempting law enforcement officers (including campus security officers), retired officers, and certain licensed entities like nuclear facility security. It requires new magazines manufactured after enactment to have serial numbers and manufacturing dates, and allows federal grant funds to support buy-back programs for these devices. Existing owners of such magazines lawfully possessed before the law's enactment are exempt from the prohibition. The law applies to devices not already covered under current exemptions for law enforcement, nuclear security, and retired officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the U.S. Code to expand appeal rights for certain postal employees. It allows non-unionized postal workers in supervisory, professional, technical, clerical, administrative, or managerial roles (covered under the Executive and Administrative Schedule) to directly appeal personnel decisions to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Previously, these employees may have lacked this specific appeal path. The change clarifies their eligibility under Section 1005(a)(4)(A)(ii)(I) of Title 39, U.S. Code, ensuring they can seek MSPB review for employment-related disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Postal Service to provide written proposals to supervisors' organizations 60 days before pay/benefit decisions expire or after new collective bargaining agreements are reached. It directly affects postal supervisors and managers covered by collective bargaining agreements regarding their pay policies, schedules, and fringe benefits. The key mechanism establishes clear timelines for negotiations and mandates that any dispute resolution panel must issue a binding final decision within 15 days of receiving input from both parties. This aims to streamline the process for resolving pay and benefits disputes between the Postal Service and supervisory staff organizations.

Maddy summaryThe HEAL Act (HR 603) requires the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Director to study how public elementary and secondary schools teach about the Holocaust and related antisemitism. The study will examine curriculum requirements, teaching methods (like project-based learning), instructional materials, and assessment approaches across states and school districts. It specifically analyzes whether Holocaust education is mandatory, optional, or integrated across subjects, and how schools address antisemitism and genocide prevention. The resulting report, due within 180 days of the study or three years after enactment, will inform Congress but does not change current school policies. This is a data-gathering measure, not a policy mandate.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all ammunition sales to occur in person with identity verification, banning online or mail-order purchases for unlicensed individuals. It adds new licensing requirements for ammunition dealers and modifies existing firearm laws to explicitly include ammunition in sales, shipping, and recordkeeping rules. Licensees must report bulk sales of over 1,000 rounds to unlicensed buyers within one business day. The law directly affects ammunition sellers (both licensed and unlicensed) and buyers, making online ammunition transactions impossible without in-person verification.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts federal employee pay rates for 2024. It increases basic pay for all federal workers under statutory pay systems and prevailing rate systems by 4.7%, and raises locality pay adjustments by 4.0%. These changes directly affect all federal employees covered by the specified pay systems, including those in wage areas and under sections 5348/5349 of Title 5. The bill implements these raises without altering existing pay system structures or requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 506, the HARM Act, requires the U.S. Secretary of State to designate the Wagner Group as a foreign terrorist organization under immigration law within 90 days of the bill's enactment. This designation would directly affect the Wagner Group and its affiliated entities, subjecting them to sanctions under U.S. law. The bill mandates that the designation apply to any successor or affiliated groups engaged in activities against U.S. interests, including operations in Ukraine, Africa, and the Middle East. It also requires the Secretary of State to submit an annual report on the Wagner Group's international activities to specific congressional committees. The bill focuses on the legal process for designation, not on outcomes or advocacy.

Maddy summaryHRES 49 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year in 2023. It formally acknowledges Lunar New Year's origins in China over 4,000 years ago, its celebration across East and Southeast Asia (including the Year of the Rabbit in Chinese tradition and Year of the Cat in Vietnamese tradition), and its observance by millions of Asian Americans and others in the U.S. The resolution expresses respect for Asian Americans and all global communities celebrating this holiday and extends well-wishes for a prosperous new year. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - it solely serves to affirm cultural recognition.